Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1515545
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 FEBRUARY 2024 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt A proposal is being made to re- place a row of eight traditional early 20th-century townhouses with a new five-storey apartment block along Triq Villambrosa in Hamrun. The site is a short distance from the St Gaetan parish church. These townhouses, charac- terised by traditional style and proportions, line the street which typically features two or three-storey high townhouses. The proposed development, situated in a street known for its traditional streetscape, seeks to preserve the exist- ing facade while introducing blank party walls on either side. Although the site, which includes Johns Garage, was not initially designated as part of Hamrun's urban conser- vation area in the 2006 local plans, the area was marked as a 'design priority area' where architectural elements and proportions must be preserved and enhanced. The application proposes the total internal demolition of the existing eight townhouses, ex- cavation for a basement level, and construction of five addi- tional floors to accommodate 19 apartments and an office space. However, the Superintend- ence for Cultural Heritage (SCH) has expressed concerns about the proposed develop- ment, citing the well-preserved streetscape and cultural herit- age value of the houses. Nevertheless, the SCH has indicated a possibility for re- development if one of the proposed floors is eliminated. They suggest that any devel- opment in the area should ad- here to a maximum of three full floors and an overlying pent- house level to avoid setting a precedent for excessive vertical development in the Design Pri- ority Area. Din l-Art Helwa opposes the development, arguing that it does not harmonise with the character and distinctiveness of the traditional streetscape, characterised by low-lying buildings. A similar development, in- volving the addition of three floors to a neighbouring town- house, was approved by the Planning Authority a year ago despite the SCH's recommen- dation to limit the develop- ment to three full floors and a receded level. However, this decision is currently under appeal by Din l-Art Helwa. Din l-Art Helwa contends that the approval is in breach of the local plan in which build- ing heights are limited to three floors and possibly an addition- al receded floor. Eight townhouses in Hamrun could make way for five-storey block The proposed development will incorporate the existing façade of the townhouses while adding three f loors on top, in an area of Hamrun designated as a Design Priority Area INFRASTRUCTURE Malta is set to commence "remedial works" on the main road surface from Triq Ħal Luqa to Piazza Antoine De Paule in the heart of Paola. In a Facebook post, Infrastruc- ture Malta said that the remedi- al works will primarily address significant road surface damage occurring between the Health Centre and the Hibernians Foot- ball Club. In 2020, MaltaToday had re- ported that the overhaul of Paola's main square that was completed in 2018 was already peppered with defects. Among others, the lighting sys- tem at the top part of the square was not functional because the wiring was not in place. The wir- ing for the zebra crossing had not been installed, both ground fountains in the square were not operating because the reservoirs that feed them did not store wa- ter, and the benches were already rusty. The square itself will not be subject to Infrastructure Malta's works. To minimise disruptions to dai- ly routines and community ac- tivities, Infrastructure Malta said that the majority of the works will be carried out after 19:00. The agency stated that it has im- plemented specific measures, in- cluding temporary road signage, to facilitate the use of alternative routes where possible. The works are scheduled to take place from Thursday, February 8, to Thursday, February 29, 2024. Paola's main road to undergo remedial works A substantial section of the road is located in the heart of Paola The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage (SCH) has expressed concerns about the proposed development